Former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Sibusiso Vilakazi has weighed in on the burgeoning talent pool in South African football, drawing a sharp contrast between today’s young players and the generation he came up with.
Vilakazi, who enjoyed a glittering 15-year career that began as a 19-year-old debutant at Bidvest Wits in the 2009/10 season, believes the current crop possesses a crucial, defining advantage.
Though his debut season at Wits as a teenager saw him feature in 19 league matches with a modest return of three goal involvements, Vilakazi’s career trajectory steadily climbed, culminating in a high-profile move to Sundowns in 2016.
That move marked a major shift: after six trophyless years at Wits, he enjoyed a remarkable turnaround at his new club, collecting over eight major titles at the Tshwane giants.
Reflecting on his own development and the older times, the 35-year-old highlights the stark contrast between the PSL prospects of his era and today’s dynamic new generation.
“I think for me it’s just incredible, it just moves me because we have so much talent,” Vilakazi told FARPost. “Back then, we would say we have so much talent, but what are we doing with it? But now this talent, they are able to back it up.”
SIBUSISO VILAKAZI: WHY TODAY’S YOUNG PLAYERS ARE BETTER EQUIPPED THAN MY GENERATION
The surge of young talent in South African football is undeniable. Teenagers nurtured through the DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] are now establishing themselves as pivotal senior figures, most notably Orlando Pirates midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng.
Like Vilakazi, Mofokeng broke into the senior team at just 19. However, contrary to the older generation, his impact was instantaneous and decisive: Mofokeng has already played a key role in helping Pirates secure four trophies, registering goals in two cup finals—including the dramatic last-minute winner in the 2024 Nedbank Cup final against Sundowns.
This contrast underscores Vilakazi’s main point: today’s youngsters seize opportunities and translate potential into immediate results.
“These young players are able to back it up within the depth of the competition. When given a chance they are able to respond. That is why I am saying the door is not locked for these players to get into the national team,” the veteran striker stated.
Today’s rise of young talent coincides with a greater focus on player psychology, with many modern footballers actively distancing themselves from social media and external criticism to protect their mental health.
While lauding their technical ability, Vilakazi, who now serves as an ambassador for the game, stressed the psychological sensitivity of this generation and the necessity of caution when offering public commentary.
“So, for me it’s just also the luxury that we have right now is just also incredible. There is so much to speak of and sometimes you speak about them, and it gets into their heads. And if you don’t speak about them sometimes it falls away and they feel as if they are not recognised,” he concluded.
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